2 Incredible 12 year Olds

Disappointed in myself for not moving forward, but realizing I need to be honest about what I am able to do. I had to talk to my Wyldlife girls today and let them know that we are not going to camp. My heart wants to go with them to San Diego, but I can't. The pain is too fresh and the tears come too often. Letting them down was so hard. Of course, they were wonderfully understanding and didn't let me see their disappointment. What mature young ladies these 12 year olds are. Here  I was giving them bad news and they comforted me.

We try so hard to  protect our children from the hardships that these girls have lived through. Evictions, drug abuse, domestic violence are no strangers to these young ladies. They have had to fend for themselves in too many ways in their young lives. Yet, they are gracious and loving to others when times get tough. Each of them knew about my son's death and they were kind enough not to bring that information to school to upset my younger students. Not a peep was said at school. My return to the classroom was so much easier with the students not affected by this tragic news. The kids all love Lis and would be devastated to learn that she lost her Daddy, my precious son. Because of the wisdom and hearts of my WL girls, the younger kids were never saddened by this news. In the classroom, I could avoid this tragedy and didn't have to live through their sorrow and need to comfort me. My classroom remained a normal place in my now not normal world.

When I think of people I respect, these 2 beautiful young ladies are at the top of my list.

In Him,

Gratefully Joyful
5-24-2010